Pechanga Pu’éska Mountain Day Celebration on November 15th

Saturday, November 15, 2025 is the 13th Anniversary of Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day. Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day was proclaimed a City holiday to commemorate the native culture and heritage of the Pechanga Band of Indians, and the profound ways in which the Pechanga Tribe, Temecula's first peoples, has shaped the community's character and heritage. The City of Temecula, in partnership with the Pechanga Tribe, proudly celebrates "Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day" each year on November 15^th together with the community.

Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro states, "Pu'éska is a natural monument that reflects Temecula's tribal history and heritage. Thanks to the efforts of many, future generations of Temecula Valley residents will continue to enjoy our valley's beautiful landscape and fresh air. With the integrity of Pu'éska Mountain remaining intact, future generations of Pechanga and Payómkawish peoples will be able to honor their heritage."

Join us for Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day:

Temecula City Hall Town Square, 41000 Main Street

Saturday, November 15, 2025, 4:00pm (We encourage early arrival for seating)

•Proclamation Recital

•Great Oak Press - Books Available (Authors of The Temecula Massacre will be present for book-signing)

•Appetizers/Dessert

•Bring your blankets for a double feature of The Temecula Massacre and the award winning documentary film, The Mountain that Weeps

The true story that led up to the Pechanga Pu'éska Mountain Day Holiday was created into a powerful, award-winning film in 2019 by Brad Munoa, a member of the Pechanga Band of Indians and a Writer, Director, and Producer for Pechanga Creative Studios. The Mountain that Weeps documents the 7+ year monumental people's movement and its momentous ending that protected Pu'éska Mountain from desecration by the proposed "Liberty Quarry" - a mine that would have been among the largest gravel pits in the United States.

With deep respect for the Pechanga Tribe's profound resilience, Mayor Kalfus states, "It is my sincere hope that this local holiday honors the Tribe by fostering educational awareness about the significance of the cultural heritage of the Pechanga People who, together with other Sovereign Tribal Nations across the country, have long fought to protect their sacred history and religious sites from destruction." Mayor Kalfus adds, "As a lifelong Temecula resident now serving as the next generation of City leadership, this annual holiday and accompanying The Mountain That Weeps documentary is, in part, a strong reminder today and into the future to respect and honor the Tribe's facts of what is and what is not culturally significant and sacred - only the Tribe possesses this knowledge."

As stated on the website www.mountainthatweeps.com :

"Wexéwxi Pu'éska is more well known today as Pu'éska Mountain. It is one of the most sacred places in the Luiseño or Payómkawichum religion. At Pu'éska, many significant events took place during the Creation of the World. In its silhouette we see Tamáayawut, Earth Mother, as she lay down to await the birth of the Káamalam, the first people. Some rock formations, found on and around Pu'éska, show evidence that the Káamalam once lived at that place.

Its name, Wexéwxi Pu'éska, translates to "Where the Rocks cry" because it was there that the rocks wept after Wuyoót, the Káamalam's first leader, died and the first funeral in history was held.

The knowledge of Pu'éska's important places, such as Éxva Teméeku and Naxa'chish have and will be passed on from elder to child for generations. The title of the documentary "The Mountain That Weeps" acknowledges the historical and sacred nature of this place and a possible new reason the mountain weeps today."

All five Riverside County Supervisors, including three of the five who appeared ready to approve the mine that would have excavated Pu'éska Mountain no longer serve on the County Board of Supervisors. In contrast, the Pechanga Tribe remains vibrant and resilient for time immemorial.

Pechanga established the Great Oak Press in order to provide an avenue by which Native voices and topics of significance and importance to Native Americans could find their way into the contemporary discourse and become both a growing and permanent part of recorded knowledge. Many history books, as well as children's storybooks will be available as well.